The Blues with their heads held high. Despite their new defeat – the 13th in a row – against England, the French women offered a magnificent second half to the 27,000 spectators present in the Bordeaux stadium. It’s a shame, simply, that before that there was a first act during which France suffered far too much defensively to be able to cast doubt on the English machine, which this Saturday signed its 6th consecutive coronation during the Six Nations, with a 6th Grand slam in a row.
Clearly trailing at the break (14-35), the Blues, with pride, and although reduced to 14 with the yellow card, transformed into red, from Khalfaoui in the 46th minute, dominated the second half. Without managing for many minutes to find the opening against the solid English defense, before Ménager rewarded his own ten minutes from the end (21-35, 71st). But the Rose players had no doubts and delivered the blow four minutes later (21-42).
England made the difference in the first 40 minutes with five tries scored, like so many pearls strung on a magnificent necklace. On the French side, only Vernier (18th) and Ménager (27th) will have managed to flatten in the opposing goal. Too little to deprive the XV of the Rose of a new crown.